President Barack Obama's job approval rating in Pennsylvania is a negative 42 - 53 percent, an
all-time low and a major drop from his 51 - 44 percent approval February 17, according to a
Quinnipiac University poll released today. Pennsylvania voters say 52 - 42 percent he does not
deserve a second term, his worst showing on that measure also. In a mythical matchup, he gets
40 percent to an unnamed Republican challenger's 41 percent in the 2012 presidential race.

Pennsylvania voters support 53 - 39 percent a proposed law giving citizens the ability to
use lethal force in self-defense in any public place if they feel their life is in danger, the
independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.

President Obama, who carried Pennsylvania 55 - 44 percent in the 2008 election, is
underwater mostly because of his deterioration among independent voters, who disapprove of his
performance 57 - 37 percent, compared to 50 - 46 percent approval in February. His 89 - 9
percent disapproval among Republicans is up from 80 - 15 percent disapproval in February.
Democrats back him 76 - 18 percent, compared to 81 - 14 percent in February.

One reason might be his policy on Libya with 68 percent, including 65 percent of
Democrats, saying the United States should not be involved there compared to 27 percent who
think the Obama policy is the right course.

Independent voters say 56 - 37 percent that Obama does not deserve a second term and
back an unnamed Republican challenger over the president by a smaller 36 - 29 percent margin.

"President Barack Obama's re-election team has work to do in the Keystone State," said
Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Although
Pennsylvania has traditionally been a swing state, the size of his 2008 margin gave many
observers the idea that it would not be a heavily contested state."

"It's still 18 months until Election Day 2012, but these numbers are not going to make the
White House happy," Brown said.

"Whether President Obama's decline stems from rising gasoline prices, continued
unhappiness with the economy overall, the war in Afghanistan and now the involvement in
Libya, he can take solace from his ability to run a dead heat with a generic Republican despite his
current standing with the Pennsylvania public. Perhaps this says as much about the popular view
of the Republican field."

The overall majority support for expanding the "castle doctrine" of self-defense hides a
large gender gap, with 63 percent of men and only 45 percent of women backing the change.
The political division is also substantial, with 68 percent of Republicans and 56 percent of
independent voters in favor, and 54 percent of Democrats opposed.

Gun-owners support the measure 68 - 24 percent.

Pennsylvania voters are split as 48 percent say it is more important to protect the rights of
citizens to own guns, while 47 percent say it is more important to control gun ownership. The
gender split shows 58 percent of men saying protecting gun rights is more important while 56
percent of women say controlling gun ownership is more important. All voters say 64 - 28
percent that if more people carry guns, streets would be more dangerous. Gun-owners split 45
- 46 percent on whether streets would be safer or more dangerous.

Meanwhile, support for U.S. involvement in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate in
Pennsylvania, as voters say 64 - 30 percent that the United States should not be involved there.
In February, voters opposed U.S. involvement 52 - 40 percent. In July of 2010, they backed the
policy 48 - 45 percent.

From April 19 - 25, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,366 registered voters with a margin
of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and the
nation as a public service and for research.
For more data or RSS feed- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201, or
follow us on Twitter.

2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as
President?

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Pat Toomey is handling his job as
United States Senator?

Apr 28 Feb 17
2011 2011
Approve 43 41
Disapprove 25 21
DK/NA 31 39

5. Looking ahead to the 2012 election for President...
If the 2012 election for President were being held today, do you think you would
vote for Barack Obama the Democratic candidate, or for the Republican candidate?

7. Looking ahead to the 2012 election for United States Senator...
If the 2012 election for United States Senator were being held today, do you
think you would vote for Bob Casey Jr. the Democratic candidate, or for the
Republican candidate?

9. Which one of the following statements comes closest to the way you feel about
Tom Corbett -
A) I like Tom Corbett as a person and I also like most of his policies
B) I like Tom Corbett as a person but I don't like most of his policies
C) I don't like Tom Corbett as a person but I do like most of his policies
D) I don't like Tom Corbett as a person and I also don't like most of his
policies

10. Which one of the following statements comes closest to the way you feel
about Barack Obama -
A) I like Barack Obama as a person and I also like most of his policies
B) I like Barack Obama as a person but I don't like most of his policies
C) I don't like Barack Obama as a person but I do like most of his policies
D) I don't like Barack Obama as a person and I also don't like most of his
policies

29. The state House and Senate have each approved a measure that would expand
Pennsylvania's castle doctrine, allowing citizens to use lethal force in
self-defense in any public place if they feel their life or safety is in danger.
How much have you heard or read about this measure that would expand
Pennsylvania's castle doctrine? A lot, some, not much, or nothing at all?

30. Supporters say this expansion measure is a way to strengthen law-abiding
citizens' rights to defend themselves no matter where they are. Critics say this
expanded ability to use deadly force will lead to more violence on Pennsylvania
streets. Do you support or oppose expanding Pennsylvania's castle doctrine, to
allow citizens to use deadly force in self-defense in any public place if they
feel their life or safety is in danger?